Mischa Allen

REVIEW: The Full Monty at The Kings Theatre, Southsea

It’s not everyday that a world famous musician and icon writes you a letter – but that’s exactly what happened to Fareham Musical Society’s Alison Dea.

Alison, who has been a member of the group since 1988, is a big Sir Cliff fan. After seeing him in concert more than 100 times and watching him in the film version of Summer Holiday, she wrote him a letter.

And she got an answer.

Now his hand-written message will be on display in the FMS’s programme for Summer Holiday, which is running at Ferneham Hall, Fareham, from tomorrow (March 19, 2013) until Saturday.

Alison says: ‘Performing in this wonderful show is a great thrill for me so I decided to write to Sir Cliff telling him all about our production. I can’t tell you how elated I was to receive a hand-written message.’

Alison has appeared in many productions with FMS including Calamity Jane, playing Sally in Me And My Girl, Julie Jordan in Carousel, Polly in The Boyfriend and Liesl in The Sound of Music: ‘I remember loving every minute of my first musical. I’ve been a fan of them for as long as I can remember.’

A copy of the letter from Sir Cliff Richard will be on display in the theatre foyer during show week, as well as being printed in the programme.

But the original is safely tucked away with Alison, as she says: ‘It was a real morale booster for the whole cast, and on a personal note, a dream come true for me.’

Tickets cost £10.50 to £14, or £45 for a family, from Ferneham Hall, Fareham on (01329) 231942 or go to fernehamhall.co.uk.